Update: The article was updated on 30 July 2026 at 23:51 with a comment from Greenland’s Ministry of Mineral Resources.
Despite the fact that the US oil company Greenland Energy still does not have any permission to unload “any kind of” equipment in East Greenland, it has now happened.
Danwatch can now report this.
Photos show that the Danish tugboat Bestla arrived at the port of Nerlerit Inaat on Wednesday evening, located in Jameson Land, 40 kilometres from Ittoqqortoormiit, with a barge loaded with an excavator and at least 15 containers.
On Thursday morning it sailed from the port again—this time without cargo.
Permagreen Grønland A/S, which handled the transport, confirms to Danwatch that it has been hired by Greenland Energy, and that the equipment is to be used for the US oil project in Jameson Land:
“Yes, I can confirm that we have helped Greenland Energy with tug and barge support. It’s some machinery and equipment that will support their oil exploration in Jameson Land,” says Jeppe Steffensen, CEO.
Does Permagreen have permission to unload the equipment?
“I assume Greenland Energy does. I assume they have that under control. We’re just providing support—sailing it up there,” says Jeppe Steffensen.
“The logistical dance has begun!”
The case is striking because Greenland’s government introduced a halt to new oil projects in 2021 out of concern for the environment and the climate. But White Flame Energy has three licences that were granted before the ban took effect, and these are the ones Greenland Energy is using.
The US company has repeatedly stated that it plans to ship 300 containers and a drilling rig from Canada to Jameson Land in September, after which it will begin drilling in the autumn.
Last week, however, the head of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Jørgen Hammeken-Holm, told Danwatch that Greenland Energy does not have “permission to unload anything at all”.
And on Thursday, the head of department confirms this again.
He also confirms that the manoeuvre Greenland Energy carried out in Nerlerit Inaat requires permission—and that it is permission they do not have.
Danwatch has contacted Greenland Energy Company, but they had not responded before this article was published.
On 26 May, however, Greenland Energy Company posted a photo of the tugboat Bestla on X, writing:
“Now the logistical dance has begun! The tugboat is leaving Denmark and is on its way to Nuuk, and then to our project.”
On Thursday afternoon, Jørgen Hammeken-Holm does not wish to comment on whether the case will have consequences. But in an interview with KNR on Thursday—before it emerged that the equipment had been unloaded—he said he is not concerned that the company will ignore the authorities and force its way through.
In that case, it is a matter for the police, he said:
“This is a society governed by the rule of law, so first of all I have some broad-shouldered people in black uniforms who can help me deal with illegal activities if I ask for it. Ultimately, I’m sure the Arctic Command will also contribute,” the head of department told KNR.
A strong warning
After the article was published, the Ministry of Business and Mineral Resources issued a press release.
It states that on Thursday the ministry was made aware that White Flame Energy—and thus also Greenland Energy—has moved stored and packed camp equipment from Tasiilaq to Nerlerit Inaat in connection with planned oil exploration drilling:
“The licence holder (White Flame Energy, ed.) has stated that an agreement has been entered into with Greenland Airport to have the equipment stored at Nerlerit Inaat,” the press release says.
But such an agreement is not enough, it states. And this has now led the ministry to issue the company a “strong warning”:
“In connection with the above, the Ministry of Business and Mineral Resources can establish that the licence holder did not have the necessary approvals from the mineral resources authorities in place before initiating this operation. The ministry has assessed the situation in relation to possible restrictions. It would not be proportionate to require that the equipment be transported back to Tasiilaq, as conditions at Nerlerit Inaat appear to be orderly. A strong warning will be issued to the licence holder, with a reprimand that all future logistical arrangements must be notified to and approved by the mineral resources authority—before they are carried out,” the press release states.
